NHL cancels games through Dec. 30

NEW YORK - The National Hockey League (NHL) on Monday announced the cancellation of the 2012-13 regular-season schedule through December 30.

League officials say the cancellations are necessary due to the absence of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players' Association and team owners.

A total of 526 regular-season games, 42.8 percent of the season, were originally scheduled for October 11 through December 30.

Before Monday's announcement there had already been 422 regular-season games lost due to the ongoing lockout, and the latest cuts will claim 104 more. The NHL also has canceled the New Year's Day Winter Classic and the All-Star game.

Optimistic onlookers say the cancellation of just 16 more days of the season could signal there is hope of a deal to begin play in early January.

Negotiations between the league and the players' association broke off last week but NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said on Sunday that the sides are trying to restart talks this week.

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